who we are
Hi, we're Sara and Dave, the founders and operators of V.I.B.E. We are dreamers, music lovers, adventurers, foodies, parents, outdoor enthusiasts, and travelers.
Our "regular" jobs focus on public service through land conservation and global health, via various federal, state, and non-profit sectors.
We host the basecamps handling guest communication, marketing, partnership building and more.
Our outdoor go to's are skiing, hiking, camping, biking and whatever our travels may offer. We've been fortunate to sail, snorkel, zip-line, climb, backpack, slot canyoneer, safari, kayak, glissade, hot-air balloon, and more in places like the Pacific Northwest, the 4 corners area in in the Southwest, New England, Canada, the African continent, Switzerland, Europe, Vietnam and more and we're always up for new adventures!
Our Mission
To build four-season adventure launchpads that fuel the outdoor soul while fiercely protecting the communities we call home. By flipping the corporate rental model on its head, we unite independent recreation with conscious hospitality—powering local economies, investing in housing solutions, and practicing zero-waste stewardship from the slopes to the valleys.
We do this through 5 pillars:
- Conscious, Community-First Ecosystem: Fully aware of the impact of vacation rentals on mountain communities, VIBE exclusively hires and partners with neighborhood small businesses—including local photography, cleaning, art, guides, and music entrepreneurs. In addition to providing the standard local guidebook to businesses, shops, farms and restaurants, we donate 1% of proceeds to local outdoor organizations. We are also actively pursuing partnerships with these orgs to encourage guests to become members, which then in turn give guests a 10% discount at any/all stays with VIBE. Not a member? No problem. VIBE offers Micro-Donations for guests who don't qualify for a discount, by providing a checkbox at checkout allowing guests to round up their booking fee to directly fund various local outdoor and community organizations. Last, we host the Indy Pass Northeast Facebook page which encourages non-Indy Pass lodging partners to become members and provide discounts.
- Zero-Waste & Regenerative Infrastructure: Instead of mass-purchased corporate furniture, the Basecamp is thoughtfully outfitted with thrifted and upcycled items from local non-profit thrift stores that support housing needs (https://www.pemivalleyhabitat.... and https://bhshelter.org/flipn-bo...), as well as DYI furniture with lumber sourced from the local yard down the road. On the ground, we are actively collaborating with neighbors to establish neighborhood and community solar grids and transition properties to wildlife-friendly landscaping. Last, we pay extra to provide recycling to guests, enabling recyclables to head to the local recycling center.
- Sweat Equity: As owners we don’t just host; we actively build community. We regularly volunteer alongside local crews at independent Tenney Mountain to manually clear ski glades, serve as SKI KIND hosts at Granite BackCountry Alliance zones, and are the newest member of the Tenney Brook Association board of directors. In addition we actively participate in community planning and zoning.
- Addressing the Housing Crisis: Our first (and currently only) Basecamp at recently revived Tenney Mountain was specifically targeted due to its location within a zoned commercial/resort district, creating an economic symbiotic relationship with the community vs. a parasitic one. We plan to expand by offering roaming basecamp options too - like our Taxa Mantis trailer which guests can take to established camping areas in the region. This provides a basecamp without taking up land for housing. Last, we are members of Housing Action NH and donate $2/night stay to housing organizations like NH Housing, and the Pemi Valley Habitat for Humanity.
- The Ultimate Collective Hub: We cite our Basecamps centrally to a diverse array of outdoor adventure. Our Tenney Mt. Basecamp sits centrally between independent ski mountains like Tenney, Ragged, Waterville Valley, Cannon Mountain, and Campton Ski Area (as well as world class rock climbing at Rumney Rocks, Mt. Biking and cross country skiing at Greenwoodlands Foundation (featured by Outdoor Magazine as one of the best nordic trail systems in the country) and Disc Golf out the door at Tenny, 15 min to White Mt. Disc Golf and 30 min from 5 more courses, VIBE acts as a grassroots sanctuary for the core outdoor community. We back this up with direct, open-door discounts for members of the Indy Pass as an official Indy Pass lodging partner, New England Uphill, Granite Backcountry Alliance, AT thru-hikers, and any active outdoor group who shares their mission.
OUR BASECAMPS
Tenney Mountain escape
Tenney is our first (and currently only) Basecamp. Centrally located to 6 ski resorts, 3 of the largest and cleanest lakes in NH, world class rock climbing and more, it checks a whole lot of boxes. With a leap of faith, a lot of hard work, and a great community of skiers and riders, (not to mention a solid winter) our first season has been a success. Our plan is to continue to invest in the Tenney Basecamp and hopefully in the next year we'll break ground on our 2nd Basecamp, the Squam Lake Woodlands!
"Rover", the taxa Mantis
Rover is the name of our 16' (19' if you include the hitch) off road capable 4 season pop up trailer made by Taxa Outdoors. The "Mantis" is their largest trailer and comes equipped with heat (fueled by 2 propane tanks), hot and cold water, outdoor shower, cook stove, kitchen sink, dining area that converts to a double bed, a couch that converts to bunk beds (and the lower bunk converts to a double bed), an insulated roof top tent for 2 adults, an enclosed vestibule for the tent and an enclosed room that attaches to the shade awning. It's also fully rigged with solar, 2 lithium batteries (or AGM in winter), a spare portable battery, 1a 2V refrigerator/freezer, a portable composting toilet (just throw the bag away), Firepit, and more! Weighing in under 3,000lbs this baby tows well and is compatible with many vehicles (ours is a Subaru Ascent).
The last couple of seasons we've been outfiitng it, testing it out, and making modifications. We are currently exploring how to add this mobile monster to the Basecamp lineup. Made in the USA by a former NASA engineer, the Taxa Mantis is all its hyped up to be - it "brings the outside in" while giving you "everything you need and nothing you don't."
Squam Lake Woodlands
With help from family passing it forward we were lucky to acquire a 20 acre woodland property a stone's throw from Squam lake. It abuts NH Audubon's 47 acre Proctor Sanctuary and is across the street from Center Harbor Woods, a 224-acre scenic, natural, and recreational area that sits between Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam.
Center Harbor Woods contains a network of trails available for four-season use that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It connects to the Lakes Region Conservation Trust Pine Hill Conservation Area (121 acres) and the NH Audubon Proctor Sanctuary (47 acres). Together these properties provide almost 400 acres of conservation land.
With the help of grant funding from UNH Cooperative Extension's Women in the Woods Program as well as the USDA NRCS, we recently completed a forest management plan to help lay the groundwork for balancing the environmental health of the woodlands with our recreational goals. We're currently in the planning stages, looking at various options for the type of Basecamp (Yurt, A-frame, Quanset, etc.).
More to come
Remember how we mentioned community? Well it's nice to have friends with Basecamps and while we have a few, we're looking for more! Do you have land? And/or a Basecamp - whether on land or sea? Interested in joining the V.I.B.E. community? Let's talk!
OUR TEAM
Team Member: Michelle Means-Lauriat
Team Role: Cleaning Services
Contact Info: 603.320.5510 [email protected]
Description: Michelle is a neighbor and runs her own cleaning service. She works with several units on Tenney Mountain and has helped us achieve 5 star super host status with her thorough and thoughtful approach.
Team Member: Ashley Jones, Yeaton Photography
Team Roll: Professional Photos of the Basecamp
Contact Info: https://www.yeatonphotography [email protected]
Description: Another neighbor of ours and self described photographer, adventure-seeker, dog-obsessed, and your new biggest supporter. A lover of bold colors and grand floralscapes, Ashley has been photographing weddings around New England for more than six years. Capturing your photos in a way that is a blend between documentary and editorial, Ashley and her team will ensure you not only get the photos you deserve, but you have fun doing it too.